Guide track and compressor for automatic wire-tying machine



Oct. 13, 1959 P. w; FAwcE'rT 2,908,215

GUIDE` TRACK AND COMPRESSOR FOR AUTOMATIC WIRE-TYING MACHINE Filed May 1, 1957 v l y 14 sheets-sheet 1^.`

Ilm!IUIINIMWIIU |l I!! Elli Y @il j mmllll 0t- 13 1959 P. w. FAwcE-r-r y2,908,215 l GUIDE TRACK AND COMPRESSOR FCR AUTOMATIC wIRE-TYINC MACHINE Filed May 1, '1957 v 14 sheets-sheet 2.

pq if i MMM'MIM MMMMIMMM -LIMMMMMIM N .I l l l Oct. 13, 1959 -P. w. FAwCE'r-r 2,908,215

' GUIDE TRACK AND coMPREssoR FoR AuToMATIc WIRE-wma MACHINE Filed may 1, 1957 l 14`sneetssneer s Oct. 13, 1959 P. w. FAwcl-:T'r

GUIDE TRACK AND COMPRESSOR FOR AUTOMATIC WIRE-TYING MACHINE Filed May 1, 1957 P'. w. EAwcE-r'r 2,908,215 GUIDEV TRACK AND yCOMPRESSOR v'OR AUTOMATIC WIRE-TYING MACHINE Filed May 1, 1957v ou. 13, V1959 14v Sheds-Sheet v5 1 4 if" .n f 335 it.. wf

INVENTOR.

Oct. I3, 1959K P. w. FAwcEf-' i v '2,908,215 GUIDE mex 'AND COMPRESSOR Foa AUTOMATICWIREJMI'NG MACHINE Arild nay 1. 1957 14 sheets-sheetv e IN V EN TOR.

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` Oct. 13, 1959 GUIDE TRACK AND COMPRESSOR FORv AUTOMATIC WIRE-TYING MACHINE v14. sheets-sheet 'r Fi1`erd May 1, 1957 1 INVENTOR. C

Filed May l.. 1957 Oct. 13, 1959 P. w. FAwcE'r'r 2,908,215

GUIDE TRACK AND COMPRESSOR FOR AUTOMATICl WIRE-TYING MACHINE 114 sheets-sheet a Ily Oct. 13, 1959 P. w. FAwcE'rT 908315 GUIDE TRACK AND COMPRESSOR F' OR AUTOMATIC WIRE-TYING MACHINE Filed May 1, 1957 d 14 Sheets-Sheet 9 INV'N TOR.

Oct. 13, 1959 P. w. FAwcETT 2,908,215- v GUIDE TRACK AND COMPRESSOR FOR AUTOMATIC WIRE-TYING MACHINE Fild May l. 1957 14 Sheets-Sheet l0 wm. C vm ww QW QN. M und o 6%M, A 9 viv. m .Mvm. C ,.uHmHHuHHwHn-,n` Y\ wv Q fx Umm, UQm, Lw e SR. QW. NM %N WWU E WH H//wr//J nm uw I R mw n NW uw w INN a l NN X Ww, WW WIV oci; 13,' 1959 P, w; FAWQE'r-r 2,908,215

GUIDE TRACK-AND COMPRESSOR FOR AUTOMATIC wIRE-TYING MACHINE 14 sheets-sheet 11 Filed May l, 1957 INVENTOR.

Oct. 13, 1959 P. w. FAwcm-T 2,908,215

GUIDE TRACK AND COMPRESSOR FOR AUTOMATIC WIRE-TYING MACHINE l Filed May l, 1957 14 Sheets-sheet 12 INVENToR. f

Oct. 13, 1959" 'P.w.FAwcE:T1' 2,908,215

I GUIDE TRACK AND COMPRESSOR FOR AUTOMATI WIRE-TYING MACHINE 1 Filgd may 1, fissv 14 sheets-sheet 1 :5

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@mail Oct. 13, 1959 P. w. FAwcETT i 2,908,215 GUIDE TRACK AND COMPRESSOR FOR AUTOMATIC WIRE-WING MACHINE Filed may 1, 1957 `14 sheets-sheen` 14 Ill(I v INVENTOR. v

2,908,215 Patented Oct. 13, 1 959 "zi,9'os,z1's GUmE TRACK AND COMPRESSOR lEoR AUTo- MATIC WIRE-TY1NG MACHINE Paul W. Fawcett, YWestern Springs, lll., assignor to United States Steel Corporation, a corporation of New Jersey Application May 1, 1951, serial No. 656,282 1e ciaims. (c1. 10o- 26) This invention relates to automatic machines for applying a tie wire to a bundle, tightening it therearound parts in section, showing the general arrangement of the and securing the lapped ends of the wire by a twist or knot In particular, the invention concerns a rectangular yguide track into which'the bundle or package to b'e tied is inserted preparatory to application of a tie wirev thereto, Aaround which the tie wire is 'fed as the lastjstep inA a tying cycle, beforek automatic operation is suspended, in order to be ready instantly for initiation of va succeeding cycle.

Automatic wire-tying machines of the guide-track type are known generally and include, in addition to the guide trackitself, wire-feeding and retracting means, iinal-tensioning means, a twister or knotter mechanism and shear' means for cutting the completed tie from a coil of' tie wire. VOne example of'such'machines is shown in Vining et al. Patent No. 2,416,859. As'stated, my

invention is principally concerned with the guide track.l The novel features' thereof, as herein described and claimed, may be employed in 'any known machine of the same :general type.` `Details of parts other than' the guide track an'd associated velements are not, therefore, included herein.

i One object of the invention -is to provide a guide track having'spring-pressed'plates normally cooperating with the track Yframe to define a passage Qfor the tie wire, said plates providing guide means for the tie wire untilit is completely' drawntaut around the package and thus kept in alignment with the'track, said plates being displaceablelby the tie wire when it is retracted to pull it taut around the bundle.

A further object is to provide the track with package guidesinade up of extensible panelsfor adjusting the i width oi'-l the'openng through the track tothe size of the package being tied.

A further object is to provide movable means elective toguide the leading end of the tie `wire properly into the track onits iirst approach 'andinto an adjacent path on its second approach, after'it has `made a complete circuit of the trackL" i A further objectiis to provide hinged centering Wings on the package guides -to insure'proper-positioning of a package-advancing along a conveyor or being manually put through the track -for tying.'

A stilll further object is toprovide a bundle compressor actuatedfby. a uidpressure cylinder and means for adjusting the cylinder vertically so that the retracted or up position of the compressor be only slightly above the top'of the uncompressed bundle.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will I be made 'clear during the 'following detailed description which refers to the accompY 'yingdrawings illustrating `a present preferred embodiment. `In thedrawings; j

Figure l is a plan view ofa tying machine having the,

principal operative units of the machine andv their relation to the guide track; i

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 with partsI re# moved or broken away;

detail;

Figure 5 is an elevation of the'main frame of Ythe guide track with the package guides removed and parts broken away; f

Figure 6 is a partial section taken along the plane'oi linerVI-VI of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a partial elevation, with parts in section or broken away, showing the package guides fully retracted; Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 showing the packageV guides partially advanced; j f Figures 9 and l0 are partial sectionstaken along the planes of lines IX-IX and X-X, respectively, `o f Figures7and8; f Figure l1 is a partial elevation partly brokenjawav to show the package guides in vertical section;

Figure 12 is a partial elevation showing how the package guides are mountedand interlocked, as projected along the plane of line XII-XII of Figure 1l; Figure 13 is an elevation of the back portions of the guide track with the overlying parts removed, showing the spring-pressed, yieldable wire-confining plates;

XIV-XIV of Figure 13; Figure 15 `is a partial elevation of the 'yieldable vplates corresponding to Figure14;

Figure 16 is a partial elevation of the right-handguide block; i

Figure 17 is a plan view of the right-hand guide block; Figure 18 is a section taken along the plane of line XVIII-XVIII of Figures 16 and 17;

Figure 19 is a partial section taken along the plane of line XIX-XIX 'of Figure 3;

Figure 20 is a partial section to enlarged along the plane of line XX-XX of Figure 5;

Figure 2l is a partial section taken along the plane of line )on-XXI of Figure 3; 'l Figure 22 is a View, partly in plan, and partly with parts broken' away and shown in section along Yline XXII-XXII of Figure 2; Figure 23 is a partial vertical section taken along the plane of line XXIII-XXIII of Figure 22;

Figure 14 isV a partialvsection along theplane'vof line I scale taken Figure 24 is a partial vertical section to enlarged scale taken along the plane of line XHv-)OHV of Figure 22;

Figure 29 is a partial perspective showing the compressor and its fluid-pressure cylinder;

Figure 3 0 is a partial elevation, partly inisecton, showl ing the vertically adjustable bearing for the package, guides and centering wings; .l y

Figure 31 Vis la 'partial perspective s holwing the `com.-

- pletedv tie on the bottom of the package; f A

Figure 32 is an elevational view block; p e. Figure 33- is a planview with parts boke'faway. taken Figure 4 is a portion of Figure 3 enlarged showing .a

of the` left-,hand guide Figure 34 isa sectional view taken along the plane of line XXXIV-XXXIV of Figure 33;

Figure 35 is a sectional view taken along the plane of linefXXX/TXXXV' of Figure 334; f Y

yFigure =36is a diagrammatic I illustration showing the i course of travel of the tie wire throughthe track guide :ndessociated elements.; andY verifichiresides in the guide track; and "compressor, indicated .generally` at'r11, which vis in `the formv of an arch or klg'fteiridgingthe commonpenter line of the conveyors,

' pletely around the throiglwhich pass thehbnndlesB moving along the latter,

eachbjundle-V being fstoppedone ror more times'while under the'rch for the applicationvoiv a tie -T, the formation of a.knot.or twistX- on thebottomdside of the bundle as 'hitrests "on'table'lfhz,- and the ncutting of the tie from aY coil of wire. The compressor 11a is foroiblysbrought 4down on Vthe bundle" to compact fit during tying.` The pri'riipal elements Aof machine 10 Yare mounted on a verticali-y. Vdisposed plate 12 which isHsecured lto the `main .fi'rn "of them'aehine. These elements include a'sheavetrack Vtie Wire Wifrom a supply coil .(not shown), a pocket ecpenent 413a to receive temporarily ,the surplus length"vf'yvi'rev when the Itieis .pulled back` and tightened, a .gui'de"tube `14"iinaltensioning meanslS, a second pinch rollfeedi-ng mechanisrnwlS for feeding into the Y 17 withv atiltablegripper 17a, and right-hand guide 18. The ik'nt'terineludes Vthe usual vslotted` twister pinion. Othendetailsfof the tying machine 10 and of the feeding "Iehaism"'13"arfd tensioning YrneanslS are not part of the inventionclairnedhereim Y j "'TackA 111- comprises 5a franie composed of left and right `-sidenp'osts19 and '210'."f .channel and angle section, respectively, (Figures 25 Vand 422K-fand a beamnZl of the V'h'an'nehsection (Figures 13,"1-926) extending'between the top of the'posts `carried by them. `Post 19 `is"scured"'to' 'the' machineframe member 12a (Figure 3V) and` post 20 is aixed with itsV one flange-attached to v`plate 12' andiits other flange attached tothe right* end 12b of the'rnachine frarn'e (Figures'3 and A5,). Aremovable lsheet-metal cover 22 tsoverthe beam and extends down- Wa'rdly -`a1"ou`1'1d"the tops'of thelp'osts.- Spaced marginal ribs 23l and .23a are secured'tothe ycofplanar faces of 'postsl'1`9iand20 ("Figures'l'3gf25 lanclf28), and similar ribs ,24 and 24a aresecured to: bear`n21 (FigureslS and726); Therinner arrrises or cornersof'the ribs 23a and v24ajare rbbeted''toform awire trackl or groove 25. Y plates 26 (Figure 13) extend between ribs 23a and rib'24a and btvveenrivbsV 2r3a"`and"gui'des1'6 and'18, and aresirni- Vlarly rabbeted on a quadrant of aci'rcle to` complete-the Corner against plates 27 by springs 31a. Mountingpins 31am supported in bushings 31C in posts 19 and 20. The outer edges of the plates 30 are beveled as at 30a. Their ends are curved and the curved portions are beveled as at 30b (Figures 13 and 28). ProjectionsV 30C extend from theV Y curved end portions of the. plates 30 providing smooth transition to the horizontalfvpo'rtins of the track A plate 32 'is 'conta'ined bet-Ween '.fnibs `24 Tand 24a (Figure By k"virtue'offthe construction justfd'es'cribed;ftheftie wire Wis closely confined .'nts track as leading end 1s pushed therearound so' thatitfollows thetrack easily without jamming. When the tie wire W'has been fed corntrack, however, and thefleadingrend thereof has'been grippedfby thef'gripper 17a,which' is a 'partfofvthe knotterf17,the-rtie-wire maybe easilyjpulled 'outrffthe trackvfandL-aroundthe bundleY byreversingfeed- -ing` mechanism r13- or: otherwise retractin-g thegcoil f or tail endi ofthe wire. Thefbevel fofportions 30h of' plates- 30;is greater r-thanjthe bevel y30a ,'sofonsretraction ofthegcoil ofrthe tiey Wire, the wirerid'es up on; beveledportions-30b,l

rSt-preSSirigpIates 30 fbaclqward'against the yforce of springs 3161. YThe -fprojections30c -at 'the Tupper ends of plates 30 lap the ends of,v plate Thus, the `initial 'entry- Yof the y, tie -vwire between V7the (porti'ons 30191 of plates 30,: not fonly wed-gesthemslightly-away from plate/'$27 but also-forcesplfate 32 vaway, from bar 29; ThereafteL-the -side lanjdytop portions oflthe ties enter easily ybetween 'plates 27 and 30v andbetweenbar- 29 and plate`-32,` vbecause. of thefbeveledj edges 30a?v andthe action ofthe extended portions '30C onfplatej32. rPfanels'fl fand T34 of he lpackage1-guide are Isnlidable inwardly:fgpiateez'liigureSJ-and 2s) .Panels s; have their upperyends` bent ttted `into a 5 groove 35` -which fextends through fthe bar 29 and-plates 27;. The lower endsof,the-panels!33lare tted into a groove35a in the plates 27 (Figures 12,12() and 21f). Panels 34 arefsecnred at theirvupperyendls to Y 21'). An upturned tongue 34a (Figures `ll, l-2yandr-f21') on panel v3:4` engages -a downturnedtongue 33a" on t panel pulledalong with panel 34.` At the .upperve'nd' of panel ltrack"with#smooth-curves-atthe corners. Thus a lwire end fed in b'yfeeding mechanism 13 will be directedV `through guide tube( 14a, guide16, the'knotter 17,gu'ide 18 and arund'thetrack 25, then'throughgguide 16 and through 4theiknotter a second time. Y

Vertical plates 27 secured by cornerplates -'26 extend upwardly from-table `10a spaced in front of postsf19v andV 20 (Figures 25 and 28'). vThe outer edges 'of the'seplates abut lribs 23a. Their inner edgesj'however, are Vspaced from ribs '2,3 because the ribs 23a have-laf greater thick- `ri`ess"'thaf'n ribs 23, leaving a gap 28 thr'oughwhieh `the Atiel wire yW may be pulled :from itstrack 25 to draw it"ti`ght Aaround a bundle.; "Similarlynai horizontalfplate (Figure 20) is Fsecured Vvto beam V.21, with its upper edge' a'b''ttigribilauand`its"lower edge spaced-,from rib. 24. VVPlatesli() arel contained betweenv ribs-23 'and ZSrby Y i 'Y (Figures s, i5 andl 2527.511212@andyildingly urged` 75' tongue simultaneously engaged byfgthe.inneredge-ffpanel 34` softhat equ'alv movement-jeffbothfupperTand flower 'ends edges (Figures 22,325 an'd.--28). At'ftheolower'fnd of each ofthehinges -srhlown at38a is gainfadjustable bearing straightensjbundlesaapproachingthe `:guide trafck Ilf'z'n grooves` and 41]; in the upper Surface 'thereof AYforx'acl- .,f'fitpassesfthroughftheiguideylek the secondtime, respectively. j

32 -.(YFig,ures -13-15),

Panel-s 34 have centering to their? inner ie wireyasgit'gislfedintofthezguide vtrack A cover piece or retainerl 42 is removably axed to the top of the block 16 overlying the groove 40' and extending to the edge of the groove 41. A recess 143 is formed in the top surface of the block 16 spaced from the groove 41.` A slidable wire-cover plate 44 is disposed between the cover piece 42 \and a flange 45 which projects upwardly from the bottom of the recess 43. Wire-cover plate 44 is provided with transversely extending ,elongated slots 47 and is slidably retained on block 16 by a cap plate 48. Cap plate 48 is removably aixed toV blockl 16 by. means of screws 46 which pass through the slots 47 in the wire-cover plate 44 and are threaded into block 16. A spacer sleeve 49, which is slightly thicker than wire-cover plate 44, is disposed around the portion of each screw 46 which passes through the plate 44 so as to prevent binding of the latter by the cap plate 48.

Slidable wire-cover plate 44 is constantly urged laterally into overlying position relative to groove 41 by springs 50. The forward edge of the wire-cover plate may be beveled so as to facilitate stripping of tie wire W from the groove 41 during the tying operation as will be apparent hereinafter. p

The wirelcover plate 44 is partially cut away on its bottom side to accommodate a switch lever 51 which is pivotally mounted in a recess, 52 adjacent to and level with the bottom of groove 41. The side of groove 41 is cut laway adjacent the forward side edge of lever 51 so that this portion of the switch lever is normally positioned,in groove 41 in the path of the wire traveling therealong. Switch lever 51' is ladapted to actuate a spring loaded switch 53 which is disposed in recess 43. The lever 51 is constantly urged intogroove 41v by the switch 53.

Another spring loaded switch 54 is disposed in recess 43 adjacent to and spaced from switch 53. Stripping of Wire W from groove 41 displaces wire-cover plate 44 laterally against the pressure of springs 50V and lwhen thus displaced, plate 44 actuates switch 54.

At the start of -a normal operating cycle of the tying machine, the tie wire W has been threaded through the machine and extends along groove 40 of block 16, around track 25, and along groove `41 of block j16. At this point the leading end of the Wire W is disposed in the gripper 17a but is not( gripped thereby. tying cycle, a switch 116 (shown diagrammatically in Figure 37) is manually or otherwise closed.l In order to explain the operation of the left-hand guide block 16, refer` ence is made to Figure 37 for the time being without an attempt to describe in detail the circuits involved in the several operations of the tying cycle of the machine which will be described hereinafter. Closing of switch .116, causes the jaw of the gripper to close on the leading end: of the Wire W. Closing of switch 116 also ,causesy 'a motor 100 (shown diagrammatically in Figure 37), which drives the feeding mechanism,;to rotate inthe reverse direction so that the 'wire W is retracted fromV the guide track into the escapement 13a.l

As it is being retracted, wire -W is` stripped from trackv 25 and from groove 41 in block 16 and is drawn around the bundle. As the wire is stripped from groove 41 it displaces wire-cover plate 44 so that the plate opens switch 54. Opening the'switch 54 stops the operation of motor 100. Although motor,100 is disconnected from' its power source, the sheave and pinch roll of feeding mechanism 13 continue torotate undertheir own momentum. Y a suicient amount to `pull gripper 17a counterclockwise until it releases a switch 120 (shown diagrammatically in Figure 37). Release of switch 120 causes disengagement of the sheave and pinch roll of feeding mechanism 13 to abruptly stop retraction of the wire W. Release` of `switch 120 alsostarts tensioning means 15 (not .de. scribed in detailor claimed herein) lwhich functions to exert iinal tension on the wire Wto draw ,it tightly aroundA the bundle. J The knetter 17 isgthenyactuated by other To start the This causes the Wire W to continue -to retract means v`(not shown):to complete; the; tie gandscut' .the

wifey-W. y. A- jl, i Operation 'ofthekznotter.17cau`s esY the jaw of the gripper 17a to open at a'predetermined point in Vthe cycle, `to release the end of the wireW.n The `machine is now-.ready to be Ifreloaded, so. it .willbe prepared to repeat the. tying cycle for the next succeeding bundle. Thisisinitiated by, the knotter, `17, through means to be describedy hereinafter, which causes engagementuof; the sheave and pinch roll of ,thev feeding mechanism. 13 and forwardl rotationof motor100. so that wireis. fed into the guide trackvthrough block I6, raroundftrack and through block 16 a-second time. E

When. the tying Wire W passes through vguide block 16 the second' time, it travels along groove 41and in so -doing pivots lever 5,1 so that normally closed switch 53 is opened. This cuts oifthe 'llowof pressure Huid to motor 100. After the fluid supply to motc'nf100` has been cut off, the sheave and pinch roll of lfeed. mechanism 13` continue torotate fora short time underther own momentum,` causing the leadingend 'of the. wire W to coast beyond guide block 16 `and contact the grip per17d. The momentum of the coasting-wire W-causes the gripper ,-17a v'to be tilted back.. :When tilted jback, gripper 17a trips the. switch 120 lwhich causes the pinch roll Yand sheave of feeding'mechanism l13todisengage. This abruptly stopsfurther-advance ofthe wire W. The apparatus Vis then ready for another lcycle .starting with retraction of tie wireWas describedy above. Right-hand guide block 18,4as shown in Figures. 1,6- 18 has `af channel' 18a .in its top, face to accommodate a horizontally displaceable bar. 56` whichf is normally. urged to a position over the trackTportion 57 at-the forward side ofY the channel., Bar- 5,6` lis conlined'in itschannel by-a cover piece 58 :is rurged forwardly by springs 59. The lower front corner of bar 56 vis beveled but the tie wire cannot escape from trackYportion 57 until the wire has been drawn taut around `the package in the tying operation..qAs the 'tie wire .is rbeing drawn taut. around the package it dsplaces the extended por-l tion 30e of righthand plate 30 laterally which causes portion .30cto move .bar 56 against the pressure` of springs 59 to provide clearanceforescape of the Ywire at one end. The wire Vthen Acompletes `displacement of bar-.56 as it is drawn taut around 'the package.

VThe details of the compressor are best shown ,in Figuresy 2, 19, 23,l 26 and 27 9. plate 62 .of inverted L-shape carries on its horizontal portion a compressor bar or foot 63 having. a V1ayer-of cushioningmaterial 64 on .its lower face. .Plate 6,2` is .slidably 4mounted by -gibs 62a Una vertical rail 65;-which is,.secured Ito therear facewof the inwardly extending vilange offpost 20. A lugk 62b projecting rearwardly fromv platej62 has secured thereto the piston rod-,6611, ofa doubleacting` fluid-pressure cylinder 66.A `This cylinder Vis mounted vertically on a block 67 by brackets 67 agand the blockjis slidablein gibs 68 which, are secured vtofthe inner face of the other ange of. post 20. Block 67 zhas a nut 69 (Figures 23 and 28) secured thereto bys crews 69a. The nut is threaded on aV vertical screw shaft 70 journaledfin a bearing at theupper.end.1c f,` postgZt), with a squared end projecting upwardlythroug'h-cover 22 whereby the shaft `may beiturned manually byfapplying acrank.--1 v vCylinder 66,-when uid pressure is,applied to lits up, per. end, tends-to force platef,62.-,downwardly.` ',The're tracted orstarting position;` f1 the-` plate, ofcourse, is at the Aupper en d of, the cylinder. 70, the y1inder166 and plate 62`maybe raised: orvlowered together` in relation.'y to table V10u40 accommodate various size packages Aor bundles. .Ifcan thus reduce to` a minimumftheidle travel .ofl the compressor-between starting position andthe pontywhere-it just clears the for 'of the uncempressed bundle-= By-l providing" the arrangementrwh'ereby V the.ic5'1linder 6.61am filate. 62 i are'` By turning shaftA tion Aunder lthe compressor.

' 1 7a is delivered from a reservoir tothemotor to drive '1t movedtoge'thef toJadjustfor-varioussize bundles, the

hydraulic cushioning effect of the, uid in the 'cylinder is; utilizedijto4 cushion the upwardy stroke 'off the piston L. 'H' Aniinte'gralirnpact. plate 72 may be provided projecting normar,` to :"the`b'ottom` 'of'v plate'62. Plate 72 functions to-cushionthe, act'of the compressor on'the table 'of thel tying machine is actuated while there isv no bundle or package inposi- 'In such event the plate 12' strikes a 'resilient'. pad (not shown) on the tying machine on the downward stroke of lcylinder 66';

8 means 15 isv of a'typeY constructedto permit the wire to be drawnthroughV it- `during initial tensioning, Further description of;V the tensioning means 154 is not kneessary toan understanding-of the guide track of the invention. V-At`v this point-in the cycle knotter17is actuatedby othermeans A(n'otshown) vto `-form'the knot and" eject thefcompletedtie. kThe knotter 17during its operation,

ink theevent the compressor Y Figure 37V illustrates the circuits inthe several operlwherein the guide track of the; invention isfjinvolved.V `Thesefcircuits will now be described for the'purpose. of showingrhow the tying wire isfed'around' the guide trackV and retracted therefrominthe tying operation. j Pressure'fluid for operating jmotor 100 and gripper 112 by a pump 113 under the control of solenoid -operated valves 114 and 1 15;y respective'ly. vThe valveY 114- is operated automatically to either Yof i ts"extre1 ne positions by alternate energization offsolenoids 1'18`and 131. It is of the spring-return type "which" positiongwhen'both solenoids 118 and 131 are deenergized. This valve controls the supply of pressure fluid in the forward or reverse directions. Valve/115' which controls the operation of ,\,1, rip'per'1'7aV i's also of the spring-returned' type but is operated.' in'onedirectionfonly by solenoid 119. Its function is tol cause the gripper 17a to grip the wire vby contro. Yfinis 'the cylinderwhich 'actuates the .jaw of ations 'rofrthe V-tying cycle the gripper.

Thejelectricalj control 4circuit includes a two-position relay 134: `'Ihis'relay Vhas ftwo" coils 129 and 130 in operatiomrespectively, to move Vthe 'contactstfrom one extreme position to the relay contacts remain inby one coil' until the next coil:

the position to which actuated energization of the opposite Assuming normal Astarting conditions where the wire W y has been fed into-the Yguide track Vof the machine andV is ready'to -be retracted;` The iirstz operation is to close the switch 1116*, either manually-'or otherwise. ThisV energizes the lcoil, *129er the relay 12 :andopeningjcontacts -12 and 132.'.f Closing Vofcou- '1-17jenergizes coil 113A of valve 114through normally closed switch irltg'i'eversing'.motor-100v to retract wire out of'thetrac'k. 'Igheclosing `ofcontacts 117` also energizes valvesdleno'id 119 through' normally closed switch 125, causingk gripping-'fofx wire 'W lby Imeans of the pressure cylirl'de'rin` the gripper 117e.V YOpeningof contacts 128 causes0 de-energization o'f solenoid 124 `and re-en'gagenient-ofthe sheave and-A pinch roll of the-feeding mechanism`1`r3. f .f Y j y n fthe' wire is retracted it i'sy stripped from the groove 421 `in block 16 at-which-time'it moves the spring ybiased switch 54 which in turn causes permitting val-ve- 114 to the deeergizing of solenoid 1'1-8 return-t6 neutraler-oil position.'

returns to; a neutral or olf Y dow 'off pressure 'fluid' to a pressure 'other. After operation, the

'134' closing contacts 117 and l from their current source.

' V511kk to open switchl 53.

yswitch closes Acontacts'121an'dcauses last phase of the feeding cycle.

i herein disclosed haveseveral advantages.

easy guiding ofthe leadingend-ofa tie wire entering vthe track isy assured at all p oints along the track. Arthe causes theV openingof switch and the vdeenergizing of valve solenoid 119: `Valve 115 thereupon returns to its closedv positionand the pivotedv jaw of gripper 17127 is opened by ,its spring Vto release the wire. At the end of its operation, the knotter \17Y closes switch 126 and, with contacts 1 27 being closed, the coil 130 of the'relay 134is energized, opening contacts 127 and 117 vand reclosing contacts 12S-and 132.V The opening of disconnects the circuits of valve solenoids 118 and, 119

The-closing or" contacts tying wire, starting motor 100 so that wireis 'fed through the trackrepresented'by -loop V135. After the wire has been fed aroundthektrack it passes throughleft-hand guidefblockra secondV time and strikes and displaces lever This causes the deenergizing of solenoid A131 permitting valve 114 to move to olf position. After the wire is further driventby the feedmechanism, which continuesV to operate under its own momentum,y it strikes the gripper 17av displacing it clockwise which causes the gripper to trip switch 120. Tripping of energizing of solenoid 124 which causes disengagement of the pinch roll and sheave of the feed mechanism 13. This is the ,'Ihe next closing of switch `116V will start motor 100k in thereverse direction so that'the wire W is retractedl and'drawn` around the next bundle-as described above. Y

It willbe evident that the guide track and compressor Accurate and same time, the spring-loaded tie-conning plates are easily displaced `when the tie-is'retracted for tightening around the-bundle;-Y lThe only portions of the track where the bevel of the edges of-the confining plates is sufficient to permitthe tiewire to rescape inwardly are the curved portions wher Y wire is-topress outwardlywhile being pushed around the track.- Y' i i The hinges on which the centering wings 'are 'pivoted serveas guides for thetie loop as; it contracts about the-bundle onV being-pulled tight The wings guide the bundles to their properly centered positionfor tying.. The

' the tie wire if it should for any reason yf :scape from the.,

panels of the package guide-prevent extraneous objects from beinginserted Within the guide track and engaged by the contractingn tie. They' also functionas safety v.guards by deflecting and confining theV leading t. end of track guide.V The compressor cylindery is adjustable for' bundles of diife'rent thicknesses, to limit the idle travel The feeding-mechanism L lf3-continues-itorotatein the reverse-direction under itslV alve solenoidt'f133.- `Tensioning means 15 innin liyfapptiedlaftelr; the; feeding mechanism fis' .f ''Ihe-gripper vjawin theltensijoning 23 causes"a c'tuationf of tensioning means:` '15 by' 114 has been returnedto olf 1 position. v,This causes continued retractionpf the Jwire Wvr out departing from thereof onretraction.

'The guide track ofthe invention mayfbe constructed lto any; size toV accommodate varioussizesgof packages or bundles merely changing the; dimensions Vofits cornvponent parts. f

` Although I have disclosed hereinthe preferred embodif ment -ofV my invention, .I' intend to cover as` well any change or modification therein which Vmay., be'made with- "I claim:

` l. In a'wire-tying?machine, ari'iupstaiidin-g vguide track adapted toreceive and hold a yloop o f Vwire pushed therearound', means for pushing-wire around-saidtrackL-to form gavloop, said means includinga cooperating sheave-and'f pinch rolland`v av-reversible; motordriving'isaid sl'xe'azve;V t electr-magnetic-means for causingdisengagement-of'the contacts 11'7- 128 energizes coil 131 ofvalvel 114 through switch 53, which reclosedon ejection of theV e the sole tendency of the advancing tie` the spirit and scope of theinvention..`

9 pinch roll from the sheave, a tiltable gripper positioned to receive and be tilted by the Iwire end after completion of the loop, and a switch actuated by tilting of said gripper eiective to control said electro-magnetic means.

2. In a wire-tying machine, a guide track comprising spaced posts and a beam connecting the upper ends thereof, a marginal rib on each of said posts and said beam, said ribs having their inner edges grooved vto form a wire track, and plates displaceably mounted overlying said posts and beam with their outer edges abutting said ribs, sald outer edges being beveled, the ends of the plates overlying the posts being curved to form qu-adrants, said curved ends of said plates being beveled at a greater angle than the intermediate portions thereof.

3. In a wire-tying machine, a guide track comprising spaced posts and a beam connecting the upper ends thereof, a marginal rib on each of said posts and said beam, said ribs having their inner edges grooved to form a wire track, curved corner plates on said posts at the tops and bottoms of the posts, said corner plates having their inner edges grooved to afford smooth transition between the horizontal and vertical portions of Vthe track, and plates displaceably mounted overlying said posts and beam with their outer edges abutting said ribs, said outer edges being beveled, the ends of the plates overlying the posts being curved to form quadran 4. In a wire-tying machine, a guide track comprising spaced posts and a beam connecting the upper ends thereof, a marginal rib adjacent both the inner and outer edges of each of said posts and said beam, the outer ribs each having their inner edges grooved to form a wire track, plates displaceably mounted overlying said posts and beam with their outer edges abutting said outer ribs, said last named outer edges being beveled, the outer ribs being higher than the inner ribs affording a gap at the inner ribs through which the tie may be pulled after being fed around the track.

S. In a wire-tying machine, a guide track comprising spaced posts and a beam connecting the upper ends thereof, means on said posts and beam defining a wire track, a plurality of panels adjacent each post, means actuating the panels adjacent one post toward and from the panels adjacent the other post, and means whereby one panel is actuated by another after predetermined movement of the latter.

6. In a wire-tying machine, a guide track comprising spaced posts and a beam connecting the upper ends thereof, means on said posts and beam defining a wire track, sliding panels overlying said posts, and means actuating said panels toward and from each other, said actuating means being a screw shaft carried by said posts having nuts thereon, said panel being suspended by said nuts.

7. In a wire-tying machine, a guide track comprising spaced posts and a beam connecting the upper ends thereof, means on said posts and beam defining a wire track, sliding panels overlying said posts, means actuating said panels toward and from each other, and bundle-centering wings pivoted, respectively, to the panels adjacent their inner edges.

8. Apparatus as defined by claim 7, characterized by means for adjusting the angular position of each of said wings relative to said panels.

9. Apparatus as defined by claim 8, characterized by said adjusting means including a screw shaft journaled on each panel, a nut on said shaft, and a link pivoted to the nut and the wing.

10. In a wire-tying machine, a guide track comprising spaced posts and a beam connecting the upper ends thereof, a compressor including an arm extending parallel to said beam and an arm extending downwardly along one of said posts, means slidably mounting said compressor on said one of said posts, a Huid-pressure cylinder mounted parallel to said one of said posts having a piston rod connected with said compressor, a block slidable along said one of said posts, said cylinder being mounted on said block, a screw shaft journaled parallel to said one of said posts, and a nut threaded on said shaft and secured to said block.

11. IIn a wire-tying machine, a guide track comprising spaced posts and a beam connecting the upper ends thereof, a marginal rib on each of said posts and said beam, said ribs having their inner edges grooved to form a wire track, fixed plates mounted on said ribs and overlying said posts and beam in spaced parallel relation thereto, displaceable plates between said posts and the fixed plates adjacent thereto and between said beam and the xed plate adjacent thereto with their outer edges abutting said ribs, said outer edges being beveled, the ends of said displaceable plates being curved to form quadrants, the curved upper end of the displaceable plates overlying the posts having projections thereon lapping the ends of the displaceable plate overlying the beam.

12. In a wire-tying machine, a guide track comprising spaced posts and a beam connecting the upper ends thereof, a marginal rib on each o said posts and said beam, said ribs having their inner ges grooved to form a wire track, fixed plates mounted on said ribs and overlying said posts and beam in spaced parallel relation thereto, and displaceable plates between said posts and the lxed plates adjacent thereto and between said beam and the fixed plate adjacent thereto with their outer edges abutting said ribs, said last named edges being beveled.

13. Apparatus as defined by claim 12 characterized by spring means urging each of said displaceable plates away from its respective post and beam and toward the iixed plate overlying the same.

14. Apparatus as dened by claim 12, characterized by said displaceable plates being loosely pinned to said posts and beam.

15. Apparatus as defined by claim 12, characterized by the ends of the displaceable plates overlying the posts being curved to form quadrants.

16. In a wire-tying machine, an upstanding guide track adapted to receive and hold a loop of wire pushed therearound, means for pushing wire around said track to form a loop, said means including a cooperating sheave and pinch roll and a reversible motor driving said sheave, and a switch effective to de-energize said motor, said switch being located adjacent said track and including means actuated by the stripping of the wire from the track on retraction thereof by reverse operation of the motor.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS `1,983,473 Leaver Dec. 4, 1934 2,416,859 Vning et al. Mar. 4, 1937 2,742,851 Fryer Apr. 24. 1956 2,749,837 Hayford et al. June 12, 1956 

